Ian Best, of Torquay, was found guilty for inflicting grievous bodily harm on Shaun Berry and causing actual bodily harm against Victoria Baker, following the assault on a street in Devon, in March last year.

The court heard how, at 10pm one March night, Mr Berry and Ms Barker were returning from a supermarket when Best started the row.

Best said: ‘She kicked me in the nuts and pushed me in the side of the head. I restrained her – if she’s going to hit me I’m going to stop her from hitting me. I was then dragged off by a neighbour who threw me to the ground.’

Ms Baker needed hospital treatment and suffered a black eye and bruising on her back and neck, while Mr Berry suffered a badly broken ankle which required surgery.

George, one of the world’s first football superstars, died, aged 59, in 2005 (Picture: PA)

After the verdict Mr Berry added: ‘It has caused no end of grief for our relationship. My partner ended up in hospital because of the stress. The financial problems have pushed us to the brink and I have not had a penny in benefits.